Tuesday, 30 June 2015 11:45

Rolleston’s new role on the world stage

Written by 
William Rolleston William Rolleston

Federated Farmers president, William Rolleston has been elected vice president of the World Farmers Organisation (WFO) while attending its General Assembly in Milan.

The WFO aims to bring together all the national producers and farm cooperative organisations with the objective of developing policies, which favour and support farmers' causes in developed and developing countries around the world.

“I am delighted and incredibly humbled to be elected into this role,” says Rolleston.

“The World Farmers Organisation is a growing voice on the international stage so it is important in this context that New Zealand’s views continue to be heard.”

Federated Farmers say Rolleston’s election reflects the high regard with which New Zealand is held in international discussions, particularly on trade.

“Farmers across the world face many of the same challenges in the vagaries of the climate, the requirement to feed a growing population while reducing our environmental footprint, remain profitable in light of international regulation as well as ensuring we have access to modern technology.” Rolleston adds.

“We’ve taken a leadership role in New Zealand, in the formation of the Global Research Alliance and its work on climate change. The Alliance works with the World Farmers Organisation in serving the interests of farmers across the world and plays a pivotal role in improving the global footprint of agriculture’s greenhouse gases.”

As vice president, Rolleston will be in a pivotal role in advocating on behalf of farmers and representing their interests in international policy forums. WFO supports farmers in better managing extreme price volatility, leveraging market opportunities, and timely access to market information.

Rolleston’s has a long list of credentials in both the farming and biological industries such as, founding shareholder and director of South Pacific Sera (a pharmaceutical contract manufacturer and recognised as the world's premiere source of animal derived bio-reagents), which operates in conjunction with the family farming property in South Canterbury. He is also a member of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science Board and past chair of its Innovation Board. In 2009, Rolleston was made Distinguished Biotechnologist of the Year for services to the biotechnology industry.

“I look forward to playing both a national and international role in facing the emerging challenges for agriculture, such as climate change, generational renewal, and gender equality. The latter the World Farmers Organisation is leading by example, appointing Evelyn Nguleka as the new president.” Says Rolleston.

More like this

Editorial: RMA reforms uproar

OPINION: The euphoria over the Government’s two new bills to replace the broken Resource Management Act is over.

Editorial: Having a rural voice

OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.

Featured

Govt Commits $4m to Rural Wellbeing Initiatives

While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.

Shane Jordan Beats Brother to Win NZ Timbersports Title

While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.

National

Machinery & Products

Chinese Tractors Eye Western Europe

Having caused quite a stir at last year’s Agritechnica, Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion is reported to be conducting large-scale field trials…

Franz Grimme Turns 80

Franz Grimme recently celebrated his 80th birthday earlier March and continues to be an entrepreneur with passion and pioneering spirit,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

What A Choice!

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…

Your Call!

OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter